The Beginning:
After Solomon is established as king, he strengthens Israel’s kingdom and maintains key alliances, including marriage ties with Egypt. He worships the LORD but, at this stage, the central temple in Jerusalem has not yet been built. Solomon goes to Gibeon, a prominent “high place,” to offer sacrifices.
The Middle:
At Gibeon, the LORD appears to Solomon in a dream and invites him to ask for what he desires. Solomon recalls God’s steadfast love shown to David and acknowledges his own inexperience in governing. Instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over enemies, Solomon asks for “an understanding heart” to judge the people and discern between good and evil. The LORD is pleased with this request and promises Solomon wisdom unmatched among Israel’s kings, along with riches and honor he did not ask for.
The End:
God also sets a moral covenantal condition: if Solomon walks in God’s ways as David did, his days will be lengthened. Solomon awakens, returns to Jerusalem, stands before the ark of the covenant, and offers sacrifices and holds a feast—signs of gratitude and devotion as his reign begins.
This story highlights God as the giver of wisdom necessary for faithful leadership within the covenant community. Solomon’s request centers on justice and discernment—qualities tied to God’s own character and to Israel’s calling to live under God’s righteous rule. God’s response shows both gracious generosity (adding gifts not requested) and covenant accountability (blessing linked to walking in God’s ways). The narrative frames wisdom not merely as intelligence but as a God-given capacity to govern rightly and uphold justice among God’s people.
In the ancient Near East, dreams were widely viewed as a legitimate medium for divine communication, and royal “request” scenes (a deity inviting a king to ask) are known in broader Near Eastern literature. The Bible’s account, however, emphasizes that Solomon’s legitimacy and success depend on the LORD’s gift and covenant standards, not on magic or divination. Gibeon’s prominence as a pre-temple worship site reflects the period before centralized worship at the Jerusalem temple.
"Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, to discern between good and evil." — 1 Kings 3:9
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. Where did Solomon go to offer sacrifices before the temple in Jerusalem was built?
2. What did Solomon ask God for when the LORD invited him to request what he desired?